Former Vikings Defender Wants to Return to the NFL
As we enter the summer, players around the NFL fight with each other for the coveted 53 roster spots. Some others, however, need to get that chance as they are still unsigned. Many of those attempted to revive their careers in the UFL. Kenny Willekes was one of them, and he’s now aiming for a new chance.
Ex-Vikings Pick Willekes Wants Back
Willekes was a seventh-rounder in the 2020 draft.
Willekes’ Social Media Post
Willekes, who was one of the best players in the UFL, shared on his social media accounts: “@TheUFL Thankful for the Journey 🙏🏼
@NFL I’m Ready 📞
First48″
He included a highlight video.
Willekes, like most other UFL players, hopes to get another shot in the big league. It’s been a fantastic way for them to show their worth. Just last year, the Vikings signed Jalen Redmond, the big defensive tackle. He earned a roster spot, then a spot in the rotation, and finally, even a starting gig.
The former Viking wants to achieve the same.
Willekes in the UFL
The defender originally signed with the Michigan Panthers of the UFL in December of 2023, and he actually had a decent season with the club a year ago. When no NFL team hired him, he re-signed with the Panthers and took another step this year.
Willekes led the league in QB hits with 14; nobody else had more than ten. His 86.0 PFF grade ranked him fourth among all UFL defenders with at least 200 snaps. In nine games, Willekes secured 3.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, and 31 tackles. He added one forced fumble.
He helped the Panthers make the trip to the postseason, but missed both playoff games with an injury. Ultimately, Michigan was defeated in the UFL Championship Game by Jordan Ta’amu’s DC Defenders.
Willekes in College and with the Vikings
Despite racking up 423 tackles in his high school career in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he didn’t receive a single D-I scholarship and decided to compete as a walk-on at Michigan State. One year as a redshirt was followed by a year with one appearance on gameday. Prior to the 2017 season, his third campaign, he earned a scholarship. Willekes became a full-time starter, and he tabulated 72 tackles and 7 sacks. Not bad for a former walk-on.
In 2018, he was named Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2018 and 2019. He was also the recipient of the Burlsworth Trophy in 2019 for the most outstanding FBS college player who began his career as a walk-on.
Throughout his college career, Willekes accumulated 229 tackles, 26 sacks, and 52 tackles for loss in 40 games. When it was time to say goodbye to the college game, he was primarily praised for his high-energy motor, which perfectly fits his resume.
Willekes wasn’t the most physically gifted defender in the draft, so despite his motor and his college production, he dropped to the 225th pick.
His tenure with the Vikings was overshadowed by injuries. He missed his entire rookie season with a leg injury but bounced back in year two when the Vikings desperately needed some pass-rush from the edges. Willekes contributed in six games, collecting 18 tackles and 2.5 sacks in his first year of game action while playing 202 defensive snaps and 27 on special teams.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t build on that season because a torn ACL cost him the entire 2022 season, and the Vikings released him in the 2023 offseason.
He will turn 28 next month, and there’s a good chance someone will offer him a try-out in training camp.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.
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